MANITOWOC - Taking things way beyond Apples to Apples or Pictionary, the Fire and Ice gaming convention this weekend offers those who enjoy board, card or role-playing games the chance to compete with 400 of their closest friends.

The convention — or gaming con as it's known — brings hundreds of game enthusiasts from around Wisconsin and the Midwest to the Manitowoc County Expo Center for three days of nonstop playing. Can't find enough of your friends to gather for a 12-hour marathon of Dungeons and Dragons? Then this is the place for you.

"It gives us all a chance to totally get our geek on," said Benjamin Dow, a Fire and Ice board member. "For those of us who love games, it's just a chance to share our passion with other people who feel the same."

Fire and Ice started 17 years ago at Wilson Junior High School. Dan Kelm, who lives in Sheboygan, moved home from California and determined the area needed a gaming event to brighten up the dreary winter months.

"He charged five bucks to get in, and figured if 50 people showed up, it would be worth it," Dow said. "The first year, we had more than 100, and he said, 'Maybe we should do this again.' "

The convention moved to the Expo Center about seven years ago to accommodate growing participation.

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FILE - Brenton Dow, of Two Rivers, checks out board games at the 16th Fire and Ice Game Convention in 2016.(Photo: File/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

The event attracts families and gamers of all ages, although most players start at about age 9 or 10. The convention attracts people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and participants travel from as far away as Chicago, Minneapolis and Indianapolis. One participant visited from Guam while on leave from the military, Dow noted.

"That's the feather in our cap," he said.

The room is set up with 30 tables for board games run in two-hour slots, or four if the game involves greater strategy. Those typically are full all of Saturday. In addition, 10 or so tables accommodate role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons, he said. The convention owns hundreds of games, so don't feel you have to bring your own board and pieces to play.

The atmosphere is family-friendly and alcohol is not for sale. But organizers typically do not censor games, so adult games such as Cards against Humanity are OK, although they may be played after 8 p.m.

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FILE - Erik Potyen, left, and Paul Seymour, of The Game Board in Sheboygan, play the "Dice City" board game at the 16th Fire and Ice Game Convention in 2016.(Photo: File/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

People can show up at the door and sign up to play games, or they can register at fireandiceconvention.wordpress.com to attract other fans to game they want to play. Most game events are approved by organizers, Dow said.

"Some will say, 'This is my favorite game, and I want to play it,' " Dow said. "Some of the bigger games, people will schedule ahead. If you have a battle-strategy game that lasts 12 hours, you don't want to set it up if not enough people are going to play."

In the past, for example, fans of the World War II strategy game Axis and Allies found various ways to arrange the game and the process of combat, such as dividing the world into two maps or focusing combat either on Europe or the Pacific fleet.

A point of pride is Artimus — a Star Trek-like spaceship bridge-simulator computer game — in which a "captain" sits in the middle and coordinates five stations, including a weapons station, science station, engineering station and communications station, as they fight alien bad guys. Organizers are looking to putting up a second set of consoles so players could compete crew vs. crew.

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FILE - Jerome Sinkovec sets up the handcrafted wooden 3D "Settlers of Catan" game at the 16th Fire and Ice Game Convention in 2016.(Photo: File/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

But don't feel intimidated if you don't understand the rules for Settlers of Catan.

"Even though game players have the stereotype of being socially withdrawn, they're like anyone else," Dow said. "They love to talk about things they are passionate about. They will talk to you about their games and are open to anyone. It's a great way to meet people."

The convention also is a great way for families to bond, he said. Dow inherited a love of playing games from his grandfather, and his own kids have been hanging out at the convention since they were toddlers.

"We get some families here that are three generations, grandparents, parents and kids are playing together," Dow said. "It's just a great way to spend time together."

If you go

Costs vary from $40 for a full three-day package that includes a players badge, t-shirt and prize tickets, to $10 to $15 for a single-day players badge. Visitors are welcome to come in and look around, but must pay to play. Game hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Visit the website for additional details.